West Lothian Council has scrapped its consultation on special needs schools in the county.

The authority’s Education Executive has agreed to withdraw the proposals, following legal advice which confirmed the consultation process did not meet the requirements of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.

The proposals involving moving pupils from Pinewood School in Blackburn would have seen some stages of primary education discontinued at the school. Under the terms of the Act this is treated as closure rather than relocation.

The consultation proposals related to special school provision for children with severe and complex needs, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and social, emotional and behavioural needs (SEBN) and involved pupils from schools including Pinewood School Campus and their annex classes at Blackburn Primary School, Ogilvie School Campus in Livingston, St Mary’s RC Primary School in Polbeth and Our Lady of Lourdes in Blackburn.

The consultation process started in November, with interested parties invited to submit their comments by January 31. But now the council will make arrangements to minimise disruption to pupils currently attending the schools involved, and to accommodate the new intake of children in August 2014. A new report on consultation proposals for permanent changes to additional support needs schools will be prepared for later this year.

Executive councillor for education, Lawrence Fitzpatrick said the council is sorry for any upset the process had caused.

He said: “We would like to offer our sincere apologies to all parents/carers, consultees and other stakeholders involved in this consultation. We understand the special sensitivities regarding the education of children with additional support needs, and regret any distress caused by this process.

“Our key priority is always the best interests of pupils in our care, and ensuring they receive the quality of education they deserve.

“Every effort will be made to limit disruption to pupils, while we revisit the options for specialist provision that will ensure we can meet the needs of our growing population and deliver high-quality education in the future.”

The council’s decision to withdraw the plans has been welcomed by parents of the pupils affected.

Claire Williams, chair of the parents’ committee at Pinewood School, said: “We are delighted at the proposals being scrapped and we look forward to working with the council when they revisit the plans.”

Almond Valley MSP Angela Constance said she was also pleased. She said: “This is a victory for common sense and for all the parents involved. I am glad that the council has conceded that the process was flawed and I look forward to the council returning to the drawing board and engaging with parents in a positive and productive way.

“It was evident to me from the very outset of this consultation that the council had made a serious error of judgement and I believe that this is an important lesson not only for West Lothian Council but for all local authorities that there is a need to engage properly and meaningfully with all parents especially with those parents of special needs children.”